/ AFP PHOTO / MANMAN DEJETO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will not release political prisoners without a signed bilateral ceasefire agreement with the National Democratic Front (NDF).
Labor Secretary Sivestre Bello III in a statement said the President told him that if he’ll be given signed bilateral ceasefire agreement, he will release the political prisoners within 48 hours.
“The President told us that once he receives even just a facsimile copy of the signed agreement, he will immediately order the release of communist rebels,” Bello said.
The formal negotiations between the government and the NDF resumed in August this year.
Both sides agreed to produce and sign a bilateral ceasefire agreement to replace the unilateral ceasefire declarations.
But the parties failed to meet the October 26 deadline following unresolved issues on the mechanisms and the absence of releases of political prisoners.
In a speech at the Malacañang grounds on Monday night, December 5, President Duterte said that he will release political prisoners who are 70 years old and above and suffering from incurable diseases.
“If they are ready to be released and will be accepted by the families, I will release them before (December 25). There’s really no point in detaining persons na matanda na tapos may sakit…It’s a very awkward feeling,” he said.
Duterte, however, explained that he cannot yet agree to the communists’ demand to release all political prisoners.
“Now they are asking for release of 130 political prisoners. Ang sabi ko I cannot. I cannot give you that. I’m sorry but I have already conceded so much on the side of the government,” Duterte said
Over the weekend, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on the other hand said it may revoke the unilateral ceasefire it earlier declared if political prisoners are not released.